jnirvello
Active Member
after I mist my tort, I don’t dry him off completely. I noticed some white lines around his scutes. I’m assuming it’s new growth from the research I’ve done - is it okay to leave their shells moist?
Misting tort
- Thread starter jnirvello
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jnirvello
Active Member
Yep....leave your Sully nice and moist, I'm assuming you have a nice enclosed container, proper heat...etc. as long as you have all that established, yes. Are you just misting, or actually doing a nice 15-30 min warm water soak. Btw, shell looks good, nice shape. I don't quite see any of the new growth lines...
jnirvello
Active Member
Well, that pic was after him being misted! I soak him daily after his time outside
New growth on sulcatas comes in dark. I can't see anything in the pic, but there are two things that could be your white lines:
1. Do a search for "squiggly white lines". We don't know what these are, but the are normal and not harmful.
2. If you are using tap water, you might be getting hard water stains over time. Use RO (Reverse Osmosis), distilled, or captured rainwater for spraying and rinsing the carapace or enclosure to prevent this. Don't use RO, distilled or rainwater for drinking or soaking though. They need the minerals.
1. Do a search for "squiggly white lines". We don't know what these are, but the are normal and not harmful.
2. If you are using tap water, you might be getting hard water stains over time. Use RO (Reverse Osmosis), distilled, or captured rainwater for spraying and rinsing the carapace or enclosure to prevent this. Don't use RO, distilled or rainwater for drinking or soaking though. They need the minerals.
jnirvello
Active Member
Oh.. that’s interesting. For soaking, the only place he’ll remain relaxed is my bath tub. Anywhere else he’s scratching and running away.
Speedy-1
Well-Known Member
Warm the water up and he will settle down . If you can hold your hand in the water , it is NOT too hot !
He is an adorable little fella!
tortoiseplanet
Active Member
Keep the water Luke Warm. Not too hot and not too cold. Test the temp with the front side of your wrist.
Speedy-1
Well-Known Member
I often wonder why torts like 95 F basking temps , but can't handle water warmer than a baby bottle ? As I said , if you can hold you're hand in it it is NOT too warm ! Simple logic shows you are mistaken .
I'm glad you pointed this out. I make the water like bath water. I wonder how it feels to them. To me, 80 F water feels really cold, 85 F is comfortable for swimming, but if I'm sitting in the tub, I need it much warmer.
